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Exit Julio Cesar, enter Joe Bendik. Bendik is firmly in control of the starting job in net for Toronto FC, now that Cesar is headed back to Queens Park Rangers after bowing out of the World Cup ingloriously last week in that colossal 7-1 collapse by Brazil against eventual champion Germany. Here’s a look at the 25-year-old goalkeeper who is guiding TFC:

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Coming up the hard way

Bendik went to Clemson College and then, with no other options, earned his first pro gig in Norway, playing for Sogndal.

“You could say it was my only opportunity, so I took it,” Bendik said. “I didn’t go to the MLS combines. It was just someone knew someone who knew someone and they needed a backup goalie. I had about $3,000 in my pocket. I paid for my own flight over there, but it was either that or working in construction (with his father’s company) until I got another invite.

“The first six months was tough, adapting to a different language and a different place and I struggled . . . then I caught a groove and I played in five games that first season, then I played a lot the next season. I had a girlfriend at the time but she was in school back home, so I was basically by myself. There’d be Facetime and video chats and that stuff, but that (being alone) didn’t bother me . . . but after two years, it kind of takes its toll, too.”

Back in North America

The Norwegian gig paved the way for his first North American pro job with the Portland Timbers, which had Mike Toshack as a ’keepers coach. Toshack became the TFC ’keepers coach before giving way to Stewart Kerr. Toshack gave glowing reports on Bendik to Kerr, which led to the Reds signing him in 2012 as a backup to Stefan Frei.

When Frei was sidelined by injury it opened the door for Bendik, who appeared in 38 games last year and hasn’t looked back. Bendik is credited by Kerr and others with being mentally tough and strong. But when Bendik was with the U.S. national development team as a teenager, he left the residency because he wasn’t “mentally strong enough.”

“I think for me, I went from college right into (pro game) in Norway, you had to adjust to the pace and tempo, how much more precise each shot is and how mentally strong you have to be,” Bendik said. “I say it to all the guys in here, if you are good in your head, you’re good everywhere else . . . you can have the best feet, the strongest legs, but it’s no good if your head is off on cloud nine somewhere.”

“I definitely had to work at (mental strength) . . . I remember when I was 15 in training with the national team . . . I left residency, my mental strength was lacking. I was 16 and I remember now and it will never be a reason again.”

There’s talk now that he could be invited to appear in international friendlies for the U.S. national team later this summer.

Learning from Cesar

Bendik said he never took a back seat to Cesar.

“I don’t think I looked at it that way. When Julio came in I knew the circumstances with the World Cup coming up and (Cesar’s commitments with QPR). If (Cesar’s TFC tenure) was long term, I would have dealt with that. . .

“Julio needed games and to see him in the World Cup was incredible for the city, for our team and for MLS, and I got the front-row seat on the passenger side. So now, for me, it’s just following up on last year’s season and keeping it going.

“And Julio did an incredible job for me. Just so many things, little things that add up. One thing he said was about mistakes, and he’s the king of knowing about that because everyone put him in the limelight for 2010 (Cesar was blamed for Brazil’s 2-1 loss to Netherlands in the World Cup). He said when you make a mistake, you meet it head on and move on. You do something thousands of times and you do it wrong once, you’ve got to move on.”

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